Machine for testing eggs.



No. 843,622. PATENTED lPEB. 12, 1907.

A. I. MOTAGGART.

MACHINE FOR TESTING EGGS..

APPLIoATIoN FILED AUG. 27. 190e.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mlmmwgf PATEINTBD FEB. 12, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,kil 4 A. I. MoTAGGART. MACHINE FOR TESTING EGGS.

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APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 27, 1906.

PATENTED PEB. 12, 19o?.

A. I. MOTAGGART. MAGHINB PGR TESTING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1906. y

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907. A. I. MOTAGGART: MACHINE PORTESTING EGGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.Z'7, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

NNQM. l J' UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

ALEXANDER i. MCTAGGART, or oiieAGo; ILLINOIS, .assuntos To FAiR- BANKCAN NING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

-. mAoHlNar-on TEsTme. Eees.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application led August 27, 1906." Serial No. 832,166.

To a/ZZ whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER I. MoTAG- GART, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for TestingEggs,.of which the following 1s a specification, reference being'had tothe accompanying drawings.

Ilhis invention relates to machines for testing eggs, and has for itsobjects to provide new and improved devices by which a large number ofeggs are moved at' the same time over a light-chamber and to providemeans for turning the eggs during their passage over such light-chamberand also at one stage of.

their'forward movement retarding Suchforward movement, so as to upendthe eggs more or less, whereby by these various movements a morethorough and complete examination of the eggs may be had than inpreviousmachines. I accomplish xthese objects by the means illustratedin the drawings and hereinafter described.

That which I believe to be new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a planview. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, oneof the side frames of the machine being broken away near one end. isalso shown the means for driving the endless conveyerf-belt and theegg-supporting rollers. Fig. 8 is a detail .showing theconstruction ofone of the rolls over which the endless conveyer-belt passes. Fig. 4 isa vertical section at line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail, being aperspective view of a portion of the endless conveyer-belt. Fig. 6 is avertical cross-section at line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 isa verticalcross-section at line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which correspondingparts are indicated by like reference characters, 10 11 indicate twocorrespondingly-shaped side'piecs constituting the supporting-frame ofthe Inachine.

12, 13, 14, and 15 indicate rolls located near each corner of themachine and each made fast to a shaft journaled in the side frames 10and 11, said shafts being indicated, respectively, by 16,17, 18, and 19.2O 21 indicate similar rolls, each located near the upper part of themachine and each suitably y In dotted lines in this figure-v securedto ashaft j ournaled in the side frames 5 5y 10 and 11, said shafts beingindicated, respectively, by 22 and 23. 24 and 25 indicate two othersimilar rolls located a short distance above the lower-edges of the sideframes 10 and 11 and each secured to a shaft .'60

journaled in such side frames, said shafts being indicated,respectively, by 26 and 27.

28 indicates an endless belt which constitutes a conveyer, said beltbeing of a Width substantially equal to the space between the two sideframes 1.0 and-11. This belt is pro. vided at veach edge With asprocket-chain 29, properly secured to the belt, the links of the chainbeing adapted to be engaged b sprocketheels secured to the shafts of eac7o of the rolls before mentioned.; As" shown, this endless conveyer-beltis divided longitudinally into a plurality of spaces or divisions byribs 30, such ribs being preferably of leather, rubber, or othercomparatively soft dinal spaces or divisions on the face of the 8o beltthat are formed by these ribs are to be of a width to ada t eggs to lietherein with their ends towar'` such rib's. In Fig. 4 is shownthearrangement of this endless conveyer-belt around the various rolls, andfrom p such figure it will be seen that the ribbed face of the belt isbrought vagainst the two lower central rolls 24 and '25, and hence thoserolls are provided with grooves 31, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, toreceive the ribs 30. The n9o other rolls have plain faces," inasmuch asthe `smooth or unribbedside of the conveyer-belt 4 bears uponthem. Theshaft of each'one of the rolls, heretofore referred to, projects beyondone of the 9 5 side frames-in the. construction show-n the side framell-and is provided on such projecting end with a s rocket-wheel, andaround such sprocket-W eels passes an endless sprocket-chain 32, thearrangement of loo such chain with respect to the sprocketwheels on theshafts 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, and 27 being clearlyqindicated in Fi 2 indotted lines, and it is to be understoo vthat it passes around thesprocket-wheels on the shafts 16 :o5

and 17 exact yas is indicated bythe chain'29. (Shown at theleft-handleide of the said Fig. 2.) Inasmuch as the main driving-chain32 'takes exactly the same course as the chain 29 on 1 over asprocket-wheel 50 on the end of the 'the conveyer-belt therepresentation of the chain 29 at the left-hand side of Fig. 2 reventsthe representation of chain 32 by otte;l lines at that end of themachine.

33 indicates a shaft journaled in the frame of the machine near thebottom ofthe machine and about midway of its ends, upon which shaft issecured a gear 34, (best shown .in dotted lines in Fig. 2,) which gearengages and drives the drive-chain 32. As shown, the gear engages thatportion of the chain extending between the sprocket-wheels on theprojecting ends of the shafts 17 and 19 and also that portion of thechain extending between the sprocket-wheelsv on the projecting ends ofthe shafts 26 and 27.

35 indicates a pulley on the endof the f shaft 33, which is adapted tobe driven by a suitable driving-belt.

36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 indicate rollers, each journaled in 'suitablebearings in the side frames 1() and 11, said rollers being located nearthe upper edge of the said side frames anl in the construction shownover the central portion of the machine. These rollers are parallel witheach other and, as best shown in Fig. 1, are each correspondinglycutaway or groovefl and the cut-away or grooved portions arrangedopposite to each other, thereby leaving between adjacent rollers acomparatively large opening into which eggs can settle anilbe held sothat the light from below will strike a large surface of each egg. Theseegg-receiving spaces are indicated by 42 and are in line with thelongitudinal spaces on the face of the conveyer-belt formed by the ribs30.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the rollers are in dierent horizontalplanes, the first roller 36, over which eggs are first passed from theconveyer-belt 28, being the lowest and each of the succeeding rollersbeing on a slightly higher plane than the preceding roller. The objectof thus placing the rollers in different horizontal planes I willexplain whendescrlbing the operation of the machine as a whole. A Theserollers are not all driven at the same speed, but, on the contrary, theintermediate pair of rollers are driven at a lower rate of speed thanare the other two pairs of rollers, such other two pairs of rollersbeing driven at the same speeds. The shafts of the rollers 36 and 37project beyond the side frame 11 and upon such projecting ends arevsecured sprocket-wheels 43 and 44, res ectively, which are engaged by asproc etchain 45, that is also en aged and driven bya sprocket-wheel 46on t e rojecting end of the shaft 22. The two rol ers 40 and 41, locatedat the opposite side of the central pair .of rollers, also have theirshafts equi ped with similar sprocket-wheels, (indicated y47 and l48,respectively,) which sprocket-wheels are driven bya sprocket-chain 49,that passes shaft 23. 51 and 52 indicate sprocketwheels on theprojecting ends of the shafts of the intermediate pair of rollers 38 and39, over which sprocket-wheels passes a sprocketchain 53, t at alsopasses over a smaller s rocket-wheel 54 on the'same shaft 33 that t esprocket-wheel 34 is secured upon, and by reason of this ,sprocket-wheel54 being smaller than any of the other sprocketwheels it is evident thatthe intermediate pair of rollers 38 and 39 are driven at a less speedthan the rollers at eachside thereof, the object of which will behereinafter explained. The arrangement of these sprocket wheels andchains `employed for driving them is clearly shown by ottedjines in Fig.2, and from Fig. 1 it will be seen that the sprocket-chains 45, 49, and53 lie between the sid e frame 11 and main drive-chain 32.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the location of tle rolls 24 and 25 near thelower edge ofthe side frames and the running of the endlessconveyer-belt beneath these rolls forms a central well or chamberbeneath the series of egg-supporting rollers. VVitl` in tl. is well orch amber thus formed are located two lamps 55, such lamps beingpreferably electric globes, as indicated. At opposite ends of tle well'or chamber are affixed suitable inclined reflectors 56, and at one sideof tte well or cl amber is located anotlf. er inclined reflector 57. Bytlr is arrangement of reflectors tie rays of light will penetrate throuh tlf e openings between tl e egg-supporting ro lers, so tl at tleoperators sigi t is not affected by such rays and yet tlre desired e'ectwill be produced upon the eggs being examined.

In o eration with tie endless conveyerbelt drlven in tlze directionindicated by tle arrows in Fig. 4 and with the series of rollers 36 to41, inclusive, being rotated by the sprocket-ch ains, as hereinbeforedescribed, the operator will place upon tle endless conveyer-belt at thereceiving end of tie macli ine a large quantity of eggs, such eggs lyingbetween the'ribs 30. Each of tle spaces or divisions between the ribs ontle face of the belt will have a large number of eg s and will be keptcontinuously supplied wit i eggs by the operator. The forward movementof the conveyer-belt will cause tl e eggs to pass onto the seriesofegg-supporting rollers over the central well or chamber, and such eggswill settle into the spaces caused by thefcut-away portions or notchesof these rollers. The rollers themselves are fixed rollers-that is, theyare journaled in position-and have no other movement tl an the rotarymovement imparted to them by the driving mechanism referred to. Asbefore explained and as clearly shown in the drawings, each succeedingroller is in a sli h tly l igl: er plane tll an the preceding one, an bythls arrangement the forward movement of the eggs is somewhat IOO IOS

selves, although such rotation, of course, as-

sists 'in this forward movement. The checking of the forward movement byreason .of the slight upward inclination that the eg have to pass overin moving across the ro ers also affords sufficient time for theinspector to give each egg the necessary examination to determine itsquality. Furthermore, the rotation of these rollers rolls the eggs so asto aid in bringing the'eggs to positions for thorough inspection.

I have called attention to the fact that the central pair of rollers 38and 39 are driven at a less speed than the rollers at each side of them,and the object in thus driving these central rollers at a less speedthan the others is to cause the e gs to be more or less upturned andthere y enable the inspector to readily determine the character oftheairchamber in the eggs. I have found in practice that the eggs uponbeing .brought to these slower rotating rollers are so turned and theturning of the eggs in this manner affords additional opportunity for athorough inspection.

By means of my improved machine th eggs to be inspected will be movedforward re ularly and evenly over the light-cl2 amber, wiIl be rotatedduring a portion of such movement, and will be also turned, as beforedescribed, so that their ends point in a different direction from thatin which they pointed Wh en they first started moving over thelight-chamber, and by reason of these various movements the inspectorwill be afforded every opportunity for thoroughly examining every eggpassin over the machine. After passing over the rol ers the eggs will beagain delivered to the endless conveyer-belt,

being deposited thereon between the ribs on i the face of the belt andfrom such belt will be taken off by hand or delivered as desired.

The dividing-ribs on the face of the belt act to kee the various streamsof eggs separated and a so act to properly deliver the eggs to andreceive them from the cut-away or re- -cessed portions of thevrollers.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

l. In an egg-testing machine, the combi- I nationwith a light-c amber,of a series of rollers over said chamber adaptedto receive and support es, al conveyer for delivering eggs to the ro ers, and means for rotatingsome of the rollers at less speedthan the others, substantially asdescribed. l

3. In an egg-testin macbine, the combination with a series o rollers anda stationary support therefor, of an endless conveyer leading towardunder and away from.. said rollers, and means for rotating the rollers,substantially as described. f

nation with a support com rising a pair of side frames, of a series ofro ers journaled in said side frames, an endless conveyer-belt leadingtowardunder and away'fromsaid rollers, said conveyer-belt forming theends and bottom of a well or chamber, and means for rotating therollers,substantially as described.

5. In an,egg-testing machine, the combination witha support comprising apair of side frames, of an endless conveyer-belt extending substantiallyhorizontal at opposite etral portion whereby it forms the ends andbottom of a Well or chamber, and means over such well or chamber adaptedto receive eggs 1 from the said conveyer-belt, substantially asdescribed. l

6.` In an egg-testing machine, the' combination with a supportcomprising a pair of side frames, of an endless conveyer-belt extendinsubstantially horizontal at opposite ends o the support and depressed atits central portion whereby it forms the ends and bottom of a Well orchamber, and means over said well or chamber adapted to receive andtransport eggs from the said conveyer-belt, substantially as described.

7. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a fixed sup ortin-fraine, of a series of rollers arranged) side y side journaled therein,said rollers; being located in different horizontal planes, and aconveyer for conducting eggs to said rollers, substantially asdescribed. e

8. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a fixed suporting-frame, of a series of rollers varran eci) side by side journaledtherein, said ro lers being located in diii'erent horizontal planes,means for rotating said rollers, anda conveyer for conducting eggs tothe rollers, substantially as described.

9. In anI'egg-testing machine, the combination with a iixed suporting-frame, of a series of rollers journaledP support eggs placedthereon, said rollers being located in different horizontal planes,means for rotating two adjacent rollersat different speeds, and aconveyer for conducting eggs to t e rollers, substantially as described.

nation with a su porting-framework having a light-chamber fbrmedtherein, of a series of rollers journaled over said light-chamber, saidrollers being located in different hori- 4. In an egg-testing machine,thecombi ends of the support and depressed at its centherein adapted to'1Q. In an-egg-testing machine, the combi- IOO IIO

vzo

zontal planes, means for rotating the end rollers at one speed andintermediate rollers at another speed, and a conveyer for conductingeggs to the rollers, substantially| as described.

11. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a suporting-framework having a light-chamber ormed therein, of a series ofrollers journaled over said light-chamber, the axes of said series beingin an inclined plane, and a conveyer for conducting eggs to thelower'most. roller, substantially as described.

12. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a suporting-framework having a light-chamber ormed therein, of a series ofrollers journaledover said light-chamber, the axes of said series beingin an inclined lane, a conveyer for conducting eggs to the llowermostroller, and means for rotating the rollers, substantially as described.V

13. l'n an egg-testing machine, the combination with a suporting-framework having a light-chamber fined therein, of a series ofrollers journaled over said light-chamber, and a conveyer-belt forconducting eggs to the rollers, one face of said conveyer-belt beingdivided longitudinally into a plurality of spaces, substantially asdescribed.

14. In an egg-testing machine, the combination with a well or chamberand a lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well orchamber, said rollers being located in diferent holizontahplanes, and aconveyer for conducting eggs to said rollers, subst-antiallv asdescribed.

15. In an egg-testing machine, the'combination with a Well or chamberand a lighting means therein, `of a series of rollers overv said well orchamber, saidrollers being located in diterent horizontal planes, and aconveyor for conducting eggs to and away from said rollers, saidconveyer extending under said ,q rollers, substantially as described.

16. ln an egg-testing machine, the cornbi-v nation with a wellor chamberand a lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well `orchamber, said rollers being located in different horizontal planes,means for rotating said rollers, and a eonveyer for conducting eggs toand away from said rollers, said lconveyer extending under said rollers,substantially as described.

17. In an egg-testing machine, thecombination With a well or chamber anda lighting means therein, of a series of rollers over said well orchamber, said rollers being loeated in different horizontal planes,means` for rotating some ofthe rollers at a less speed than the others,and a conveyer for conducting eggsto and away from said rollers, saidconveyer extending under said rollers, substantially as a described.

18. In an egg-testing machine, the combination, with a series of.rollers located in different horizontal planes, of a conveyer forconducting eggs to and away from said rollers, said conveyer extendingunder saidrollers and forming the end vallsiand bottom of alight-chamber, substantially as described.

ALEXANDER I. MTAGGAR'T.

